LOS ANGELES (AP) - Hollywood directors said Thursday they will hold off on contract negotiations with studios for now, but want to begin talks after New Year's Day.

The decision could put added pressure on striking Hollywood writers to reach a new contract with studios and end their six-week walkout, which directors say is having a dire effect in Hollywood.

In a statement, the Directors Guild of America said it was deeply disappointed by last week's collapse of talks between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers.

The writers strike, which began Nov. 5, has shut down production on dozens of TV shows and started to slow the making of movies for release in 2009. Negotiations broke off on Dec. 7 when the alliance refused to bargain further unless the union dropped a half-dozen proposals that included the authority to unionize writers on reality shows and animation projects.

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